Phil Grabover is a multi-instrumentalist with 20 years of playing experience. In 2016 he graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BA in Audio and Music Production. He is familiar with a wide array of genres and tailors his lessons to each particular student, teaching them exactly what they want or need to learn. Phil’s original music with his band Standby can be found online wherever music can be bought or streamed. Their most recent release is called “We Need More Mountains I” and a follow up titled “We Need More Mountains II” is on the way.

Alex is an amazing guitar teacher from the Westconn Jazz community. He teachers Guitar, Bass, Uke, Mandolin and even Piano! Incredibly patient and full of knowledge, he was built to be a teacher. He truly expands your talents whether you are just starting out or accomplished. He teaches all styles so book your lesson and get started today!

Scott Merkel is a 35+ year veteran of the rock and roll scene. A multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, bass, drums, auxiliary percussion, and more, Scott understands the interplay between instruments, whether they’re rhythm-based or melody-based. Scott’s specialty is showing his students how to find the “sweet spot,” or what’s known as “the pocket,” that place between being ahead of the rhythm of a song, and behind it. Playing in the sweet spot is the difference between being a good drummer and a GREAT drummer.

“I’ve always loved showing new players how to find their own groove, create their own fills, and really use their own personal style to make each song their own, all the while carrying the rhythm and groove so the other players can do the same thing. That’s how you take an existing song and make it something completely new and interesting… and hopefully make it sound good, too.”

While Scott’s primary focus is rock drumming, he excels at rock-based rhythm standards, and rudiments like paradiddles, basic stick technique, and multi-limb rhythm exercises to make each foot and hand equally strong. By teaching the basics and making them second nature, drummers are able to excel at more complicated techniques required for hard rock, metal, jazz, fusion, and more complex genre-based sounds.